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Table of Contents
- Your Journey to Puppy Parenthood Starts Here
- Making Sure Everyone’s Ready
- Getting to Know Maple Hill Doodles
- Special Opportunity: Our Guardian Program
- How Our Adoption Process Works
- Understanding Our Application Approach
- The No-Waitlist Advantage
- From Approval to Bringing Your Puppy Home
- Pick-Up Day Logistics
- Frequently Asked Questions
Your Journey to Puppy Parenthood Starts Here
Let’s talk about bringing home your Maple Hill puppy. You’ve probably got questions—lots of them. How does the process work? What are we looking for in families? How long will it take? We’re here to walk you through every single step, from application to the moment you drive away with your new best friend.
At Maple Hill Doodles, we’ve had the joy of helping many families near Cleveland find their perfect companion, and we’d love to help you too. Here’s what makes us different: we don’t just breed puppies; we build relationships. From your first inquiry through your dog’s entire lifetime, we’re here as partners in this adventure. (Local families may also be interested in our Guardian Program for a unique opportunity to welcome a breeding dog into your home.)
Is Maple Hill Doodles right for your family? We’re ideal for families who value holistic rearing practices, want to make informed healthcare decisions for their puppy, and prefer breeders who raise puppies in-home as part of their family rather than in kennels. If you’re searching for doodle breeders near Cleveland, Ohio who prioritize natural immunity, species-appropriate nutrition, and ethical breeding practices, we might be the perfect match.
This guide covers everything you need to know about adopting one of our doodles. We’ve designed our process to be thorough because we care deeply about getting it right, but it’s also straightforward and supportive. Let’s walk through it together.
Making Sure Everyone’s Ready
Before you reach out to us, let’s talk about the most important step in this entire process: making sure everyone in your household is genuinely on board.
If you’re flying solo and make all your own decisions, you’re good to go; skip ahead! But if you share your home with a partner, kids, roommates, or family members, this section is crucial.
Let’s Address the Elephant in the Room (Or Should We Say, the Spouse?)
We’ve all been there. You get excited about something—a vacation, a major purchase, a puppy—and think, “I’ll convince them once they see how great this is!” You start making plans, picturing how it’ll all work out, confident you can bring everyone else along for the ride.
Here’s how it actually plays out with puppy adoption:
You fall in love scrolling through our website. You fill out the application. You have the phone interview, already imagining where the crate will go and what you’ll name your new puppy. You’ve invested time. We’ve invested time. You’re picking out collars in your head.
Then comes the conversation at home: “Honey, I’m not sure we’re ready. Let’s wait till next year.”
Cue the disappointment, the awkward email to us, and that sinking feeling that maybe you should have had a longer conversation first.
We see this more often than you’d think, and honestly? We hate it for you. That letdown is real, and we don’t want you to experience it.
Here’s the thing: I genuinely love talking to people about our puppies—it’s actually my favorite topic! But between caring for litters, supporting current families, and managing applications, there are only so many hours in a day. When I invest time with someone whose household isn’t aligned yet, it takes away from families who’ve already had those conversations and are genuinely ready to move forward.
Too often, I’ll finish an interview feeling great about a family, only to receive the email a day or two later: “I talked to my husband and he thinks the timing isn’t great right now,” or “My spouse wants to wait until next year,” or “My partner thinks we should hold off.” These are all perfectly valid reasons—timing absolutely matters! But here’s the key: these are conversations you need to have before you apply, not after we’ve gone through the application review and phone interview process.
So here’s what we’re asking: Before you submit that application, have the real conversation. Not the “wouldn’t it be nice” conversation where everyone nods politely; the actual one. Talk about:
- The financial commitment (purchase price, vet care, food, grooming, training, supplies)
- The time commitment (daily walks, training, socialization, playtime)
- Who’s responsible for what (feeding, vet appointments, grooming, exercising)
- Lifestyle changes (no more spontaneous weekend trips, daily routines will shift)
- Whether this is truly a “yes” from everyone right now; not “maybe later” or “probably”
If your partner’s response is anything less than “Yes, let’s do this,” hit pause. There’s zero shame in waiting until everyone’s genuinely excited and ready. We’ll still be here when that time comes, and you’ll feel so much better moving forward with full household enthusiasm instead of trying to convince someone who’s hesitant.
Your future puppy deserves a home where every single person is thrilled to welcome them. Take the time now to make sure that’s the home you can offer.
Getting to Know Maple Hill Doodles
Think of this phase as your homework, but the fun kind, where you get to watch adorable puppy videos and dream about the future.
Start by exploring our website thoroughly. Read through our blog posts, and spend time with our FAQs. Each piece gives you insight into who we are, how we raise our puppies, and what makes our approach unique.
Pay special attention to our Puppy Application. It’s detailed because we’re looking for families who share our values and commitment to holistic puppy raising. We invest our hearts into every puppy born here, and finding them the right forever home is our top priority.
What Makes Us Different
We’re holistic breeders, which means our approach differs significantly from conventional breeding:
- We focus on natural immunity support – giving families the freedom to make healthcare decisions with their vet
- We feed species-appropriate diets – Nutrition is the foundation of health
- We don’t microchip – This is a choice we leave to families
- We raise puppies in our home, not kennels – Our living room is their living room
If these approaches resonate with you, we’re probably a great match. If they don’t align with your philosophy, that’s perfectly okay; there are wonderful breeders out there whose methods will suit your family better.
Special Opportunity: Our Guardian Program
For families in Northeast Ohio near Cleveland, our Guardian Program offers something special. Guardian families welcome one of our breeding dogs into their home as a beloved family pet while allowing us to continue breeding ethically.
It’s a unique arrangement that benefits everyone: the dog gets a devoted family home with individual attention, you get an exceptional companion, and we maintain our commitment to ethical breeding practices. If you’re local and this intrigues you, check out our Guardian Application.
How Our Adoption Process Works
Why We Don’t Do In-Person Visits
One of the most common questions we get is about visiting puppies in person. You may have read that you should always visit a breeder’s facility, but here’s the thing: we don’t have a facility. Our puppies are whelped right in our home, often in our bedroom. We’ve chosen not to offer in-person visits to our home, and we want to explain why this actually protects the puppies and produces better outcomes.
This advice has been around for decades, and when it started, it made perfect sense. Without the internet, social media, or online reviews, visiting a breeder’s facility was really the only way to put your mind at ease and verify their legitimacy.
But as everything evolves, we now have better ways to evaluate breeders and see exactly how puppies are raised. We’d like to share why many reputable breeders won’t allow visits today, and why so many responsible breeders have shifted away from this practice in recent years.
You’ll find that many reputable in-home breeders no longer offer visits to the general public. This shift reflects a broader recognition within the breeding community that as we’ve gained a deeper understanding of biosecurity, maternal stress, and safety concerns, protecting puppies and families must take priority over tradition. Let us share why we’ve made this choice, and why it’s actually better for the puppies.
Protecting Vulnerable Immune Systems
Puppies under 8 weeks haven’t fully developed their immune systems yet. Every visitor, no matter how careful, can carry viruses and bacteria on shoes, hands, clothing, even car tires. One exposure could sicken an entire litter. We simply won’t risk it.
Keeping Mama Dogs Healthy and Calm
Nursing mothers need peaceful environments. When strangers come through, stress hormones like cortisol flood their systems and go straight into their milk, affecting the puppies. Stressed mamas can also panic and accidentally hurt their babies. Their wellbeing isn’t negotiable.
Creating Safe Spaces
We raise our puppies in our actual home, not a separate facility. While we’d love to welcome everyone in, we live in a world where safety concerns are real. Breeders have been harmed by inviting strangers into their homes. Puppy theft is increasing. Our family’s safety and our puppies’ security matter.
The Truth About “Meeting” Puppies
Many people believe they can judge a puppy’s personality in one visit. The reality? One brief interaction isn’t enough to accurately assess temperament; that would take multiple visits over time. And research shows that a puppy’s 8-week personality often differs dramatically from their adult temperament. Your home environment, training, and socialization will shape who they become far more than those early weeks.
A Better Solution
We live in 2025, and technology gives you something better than a single rushed visit: comprehensive documentation of your puppy’s entire development. Through our video blog and YouTube channel, you can watch your puppy play, interact with siblings, and develop their personality in real-time.
Our families consistently tell us they feel like they already know their puppy by pick-up day because they’ve watched them grow. Then check our reviews and testimonials; all authentic, never paid, from families who’ve been exactly where you are now.
Understanding Our Application Approach
Our adoption process starts with your application. Once submitted, you’ll receive an automatic confirmation email (check spam if you don’t see it!).
We receive many applications and review each one carefully. Because of the volume, we reach out when we’ve found a great match and can approve someone; and when we do reach out, it’s because we’re genuinely excited about the possibility of you joining our Maple Hill family! If we approve your application, here’s what happens:
- Approval notification – You’ll hear from us!
- Phone interview – We’ll discuss our program, answer your questions, and learn about your expectations
- Added to approved list – Once we both feel it’s a great match, you can reserve a puppy when we have availability
Why Some Applications Aren’t Approved
This is the honest part: we can’t approve everyone, and it’s never personal. Sometimes we’re just not the right fit, and that’s genuinely okay.
Work schedules are the most common reason. If a puppy would be alone for eight or more hours daily, they’ll miss crucial socialization and bonding time during their formative months. Lonely, bored puppies often develop anxiety or destructive behaviors. We want every puppy to thrive, which means placing them where someone’s home regularly throughout the day.
Philosophical differences matter too. If you’re expecting a conventionally-raised puppy who’s been vaccinated and microchipped and fed kibble, we’re not your breeder. That’s not a judgment; it’s just different approaches. Finding a breeder whose methods align with your values will give you much more confidence and peace of mind.
Training methods are another important consideration. We don’t place puppies with families who plan to use aversive training tools like shock collars, prong collars, or other punishment-based methods. Our puppies are raised with positive, force-free approaches, and we want them to continue thriving in homes that use humane training techniques.
Think of it like dating: sometimes there’s no spark, no matter how great both people are. There’s a perfect breeder for every family, and we might not be yours. We’re at peace with that, and we hope you will be too. If we’re not the right fit, that just means there’s a breeder out there who’s perfect for your situation. And if we are the right fit? You’re about to join an amazing community of families who share your values.
The No-Waitlist Advantage
Here’s where we really differ from most breeders: we don’t maintain a traditional waitlist. Before you think “that’s a red flag,” let us explain why this approach actually benefits you.
Your Money Stays in Your Pocket
Most breeders require substantial deposits, often $500 to $1,000, months or even years before puppies are born. Your money sits with them while you wait 12-18 months, hoping everything goes according to plan.
We’re not comfortable holding your funds for puppies that haven’t arrived yet. Dogs can miss pregnancies, have complications, or deliver smaller litters than expected. Life happens. We don’t want your money tied up in uncertainty.
Your Choice, Your Puppy, Your Timeline
Traditional waitlists assign you a number: “You’re 4th pick from this litter.” What happens when you fall head-over-heels for a specific puppy, but families ahead of you choose that one? You’re left settling for a different puppy or waiting months longer for the next litter.
Our system is different: when we open reservations, every approved family has equal opportunity to claim the puppy that speaks to their heart. No hierarchy. No settling. You choose YOUR puppy, or you wait for one that feels right.
Freedom and Flexibility
Life changes fast. What if you discover another breeder who’s a better fit? What if your job changes, you move, or circumstances shift? With traditional waitlists, you’ve already paid a non-refundable deposit and you’re locked in.
Our approach keeps your options open until you’re genuinely ready. No pressure. No sunk costs. Just the freedom to make the right decision for your family when the timing is actually right.
From Approval to Bringing Your Puppy Home
Once you’re approved and you’ve fallen in love with a specific puppy, here’s the journey ahead:
Reservation Process
We’ll send you our health warranty and contract to review thoroughly. Read every word. Ask questions about anything unclear. This is a commitment, and we want you to feel completely confident.
When you’re ready to proceed, we’ll send an electronic invoice for your $300 non-refundable reservation fee. Take a moment here to celebrate—you’re committing to welcome this incredible life into your home! Make sure your heart and your head are both saying “yes,” and then let’s make this official.
Once we receive confirmation that your reservation fee has been paid, that puppy is officially yours! We’ll post weekly updates with photos and videos to our social media (Facebook and Instagram) from now until they’re 8 weeks old and ready to come home.
Preparing for Arrival
The countdown begins! Use these weeks wisely to prepare your home and family.
First: Coordinate Logistics
Schedule pick-up day – We’ll work together to find a time that works. We know not everyone is able to pick up their puppy on the exact pick-up day. If you need your puppy to stay with us longer, we offer an extended stay and training program at $75 per day, subject to availability in our schedule. This needs to be arranged before you reserve your puppy to ensure we can accommodate your timeline.
Choose your pick-up method:
- Pick up in Burton, OH – We’re close to Cleveland, easy to reach
- Meet partway – We’ll drive up to an hour from our home at no charge
- Door-to-door delivery – Within 200 miles for $1.25 per mile (round trip)
- Flight nanny service – We’ll connect you with reputable services and meet them at our local airport (you coordinate pricing directly with them)
Next: Set Up Your Home
Your puppy has been thriving in our environment. The more you can replicate what they’re used to, the smoother their transition. We’ll send home a blanket carrying mom and littermate scents, plus food samples.
Essential supplies to have ready:
- Appropriately-sized crate (cozy, but with room to grow; not too big, especially during housebreaking)
- Snuggle Puppy (mimics sibling warmth and heartbeat; absolute game-changer for sleep)
- Raw food ordered and frozen
- Safe toys and enrichment items
- Pet-safe cleaning supplies
Visit our Puppy Supplies page for our complete recommended list.
Then: Build Your Support Team
Line up your resources before your puppy arrives:
- Veterinarian – Find one who aligns with your philosophy and respects your approach to healthcare
- Groomer – Doodles need regular grooming; book your first appointment now
- Trainer – We recommend in-home trainers who work with you and your puppy in your own environment. Even if you’re experienced, professional guidance helps set everyone up for success
Finally: Educate Yourself
Use this time to learn about holistic dog care, raw feeding, vaccination protocols, and the impacts of early spay/neuter. Knowledge empowers you to make confident decisions.
Puppy-proof your entire home and yard; check out this excellent puppy-proofing guide from the AKC for comprehensive tips.
Pick-Up Day Logistics
The day you’ve been waiting for is finally here! You’re about to meet your new family member, and we couldn’t be more excited for you.
Timing Matters
We schedule pick-ups in 30-minute windows to give each family our full attention. Please arrive exactly on time; not early, not late. This respects other families’ scheduled slots and ensures everyone gets unhurried time with us.
Curbside Process
This is our permanent policy for health and safety reasons. Curbside pick-ups protect our nursing mothers, young puppies still in our care, and maintain the biosecurity protocols that keep all our dogs healthy. When you arrive, stay in your vehicle and we’ll bring your puppy out to meet you. We’ll take time to go over everything you need to know, answer any last-minute questions, and make sure you feel confident and ready before you head home.
Come Prepared
Bring cash for your final balance payment. If you forget, you’ll need to visit a bank or reschedule for the next day; we don’t have other payment options at pick-up.
Bring safety equipment:
- A crate or carrier for the ride home, OR
- A second person to hold the puppy safely
Bring comfort items:
- Towels (in case of car sickness)
- Wet wipes
- Water bowl
Then take a deep breath. You’re about to meet your new family member, and it’s going to be wonderful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the entire adoption process take?
From application to bringing your puppy home depends on puppy availability. Once approved, you can reserve a puppy when we have a litter available. From reservation to pick-up is 8 weeks (the age puppies leave us).
What if I’ve never had a dog before?
First-time dog owners are absolutely welcome! In fact, we love working with families who are approaching this thoughtfully and doing their research. What matters most isn’t experience—it’s commitment, realistic expectations, and willingness to learn. We provide lifetime support, so you’ll never be figuring things out alone. We’re here to guide you through everything from housebreaking to adolescence.
How do I know if my family is ready for a puppy?
Ask yourself these questions: Can someone be home most of the day during the puppy’s first few months? Do you have 1-2 hours daily for training, exercise, and play? Can your budget handle $200-300+ monthly for food, grooming, and preventive care, plus emergency vet funds? Is everyone in your household genuinely excited (not just agreeing to go along with it)? If you answered yes to all of these, you’re likely ready!
What’s the difference between Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and Cavadoodles?
All three are intelligent, affectionate, low-shedding breeds, but they differ in size and energy levels. Goldendoodles (25-45 lbs) are active, outgoing family dogs perfect for adventures. Cavapoos (12-25 lbs) are smaller, gentler companions ideal for apartment living or less active families. Cavadoodles (15-35 lbs) fall in between—moderate energy with the sweet Cavalier temperament. All three share that lovable doodle personality!
Do you have puppies available right now?
Availability depends on our current litters. As a small breeder, we only have a handful of carefully planned litters each year, but because we don’t require deposits before puppies are born, approved families often have opportunities when other breeders’ waitlists are full. The best way to stay informed is to check our Available Puppies page or complete your Puppy Application now to be ready when a litter becomes available.
What breeds do you raise?
We specialize in Mini Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and Cavadoodles; all raised with the same holistic approach and family values.
Do you vaccinate or microchip puppies?
No. As holistic breeders, we believe families should make informed healthcare decisions with their chosen veterinarian. We provide health records and information to help you decide what’s right for your puppy.
What’s included with my puppy?
Your puppy comes home with a scent blanket from their family, health records, our health warranty, professional photos from their puppy photoshoot, and lifetime breeder support. You’re joining our extended Maple Hill family.
Why is the reservation fee non-refundable?
Once you reserve a specific puppy, we turn away other interested families for that puppy. The fee ensures serious commitment and compensates for holding that puppy exclusively for you.
Can I visit your home before deciding?
We don’t offer in-person visits for health, safety, and welfare reasons detailed in our Visitation Policy. Instead, we provide extensive videos and photos so you can watch puppies develop and see exactly how we raise them.
What if my schedule changes after I’m approved?
Being on our approved list doesn’t obligate you to anything until you actually reserve a specific puppy with the $300 fee. If circumstances change before then, you simply don’t need to move forward—no penalties, no hard feelings.
Do I need a fenced yard?
While we love when families have fully fenced yards, we understand there are many reasons why that’s not possible for everyone. If you don’t have a fenced yard, it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll safely manage your puppy’s outdoor time. (Note: We don’t recommend invisible/underground fences; here’s why.)
What makes holistic breeding different?
Holistic breeding means we look at the whole puppy, not just one piece at a time. Instead of following the same routine for every dog, we focus on what each puppy needs to be healthy and balanced. This includes feeding species-appropriate raw food (what dogs are naturally designed to eat), supporting their immune system development, and making thoughtful decisions about their care with veterinarians. We raise puppies in our home as part of our family because everything is connected; good nutrition, a calm environment, and natural development all work together to produce healthy, well-adjusted dogs.
Are holistic breeders better?
Holistic breeders aren’t inherently “better”; they’re just different, and that difference matters tremendously when it comes to alignment with your values and goals for your dog.
Think of it like choosing between a family doctor who primarily uses conventional medicine versus one who integrates alternative approaches. Neither is objectively “better”—what matters is which philosophy matches how you want to approach your family’s healthcare.
Holistic breeders are ideal if you:
- Want to make informed vaccination decisions with your vet rather than following a standard protocol
- Prefer species-appropriate raw feeding over kibble or canned food
- Value natural immunity development and minimal early-life interventions
- Want a breeder who shares your philosophy on natural rearing
Conventional breeders are ideal if you:
- Prefer puppies who’ve already received their initial vaccination series
- Plan to feed kibble or canned food
- Want standard veterinary protocols already in place
- Feel more comfortable with traditional breeding practices
The “better” breeder is the one whose philosophy aligns with how you want to raise your dog. When your breeder’s approach matches your values, you’ll feel confident and supported. When there’s misalignment, you’ll constantly second-guess decisions.
We’re transparent about our holistic approach because we want families who are excited about it—not families who’ll feel uncertain or pressured to do things differently than they planned.
What if you don’t approve my application?
We only notify approved applicants. If you don’t hear from us, it means our program isn’t the right match for your family’s situation or expectations. This isn’t personal—it’s about finding perfect fits. There are many wonderful breeders, and we encourage you to find one whose approach aligns with your needs.
How much does a Maple Hill puppy cost?
Our puppies are currently $3,000 (as of 2025) for all puppies, regardless of breed, color, or coat type. Started Puppies are priced based on their level of training. Contact us for the most current pricing information.
Do you offer a health guarantee?
Yes! We provide a comprehensive health warranty covering genetic health conditions. While we can’t guarantee outcomes with living animals (as so many factors are outside our control once a puppy leaves us), we do stand behind our breeding program and the health of our puppies. You’ll review the complete warranty details before reserving your puppy, giving you peace of mind about your investment.
What kind of support do you offer after adoption?
We offer lifetime breeder support! We’re always happy to answer questions and help troubleshoot issues as they come up. Your dog will thrive with a strong support system that includes us, your veterinarian, and your trainer—each brings valuable perspective. We love staying connected with our families and celebrating your puppy’s milestones along the way.
Related Articles
Want to learn more about our approach and philosophy? These articles dive deeper into topics covered in this guide:
- Why Don’t We Keep a Waiting List? – A detailed look at our no-waitlist system and how it benefits families
- Finding the Best Breeder – Essential guidance on what to look for when choosing a responsible breeder
- Temperament Testing in Puppies – Understanding how we assess puppy personalities and match them with families
- Becoming a Guardian Family – Learn more about our Guardian Program for local Northeast Ohio families
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Adopting a puppy is one of life’s great joys. The cuddles, the laughter, the unconditional love—it’s all waiting for you.
At Maple Hill Doodles, we’ve made it our mission to not just breed healthy, well-adjusted puppies, but to support the families who love them. From your first email through your dog’s senior years, we’re here as partners in this adventure.
If you’re ready to take the next step, visit our Puppy Application page to begin. We can’t wait to meet you, learn about your family, and help you find your perfect companion.
Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook to watch our puppies grow, see updates from our Maple Hill families, and get a behind-the-scenes look at life at our home.
Maple Hill Doodles
Burton, Ohio (Near Cleveland)
Raising Northeast Ohio’s happiest doodles, one family at a time.
Have more questions? Feel free to reach out—we love talking about our puppies and helping families find their perfect match!
